Monday, November 26, 2012

So, it has been MONTHS since I have really published a blog post. In the meantime I have copied some of my Facebook statuses and reposted them. I have also started a catch-all post that touches on some of the ridiculous adventures I've taken part in during this absence. I tend to hold them up as my "too busy to write excuse too.

A funny thing happens when I don't post for a while - when I lose my momentum. I start wondering why I started writing to begin with. Wondering if anyone even cares about the somewhat self-indulgent ramblings I produce. And then the inertia sets in.

Thus, I am very grateful to "Titanium", a stranger who commented, tonight, on my 6 week old post Post-Marathon Bedtime Ramblings (yes, one of those "copied Facebook statuses), saying this ...

"I love this. I've come back to it again and again over the past couple weeks, on the heels of a spectacular failure of my own. Thanks for living it, for writing it. I needed the reminder that life is Now. Not then, not later. Now."

For some reason, I was especially grateful for that feedback tonight. And I reread it a few times. And decided it was time to write something again. Which is this.

Titanium's statement that "Life is Now. Not then, not later. Now." is exactly the topic of an Eckhart Tolle lecture I was watching this morning. It is actually fairly light, and even humorous, but it IS 2 hours long, so don't click for a quick look. I DO recommend taking the time to watch it at some point. He is a brilliant thinker and, as importantly, a wonderful "explainer".

PART ONE (1hr)

PART TWO (1hr)

The other thing that Titanium's message brought to my mind is an exchange I had a few years ago with the great Canadian writer/musician, Paul Quarrington. I had met Paul in 2008, spending an eventful day with him in Midland/Penetanguishene. Two years later I knew he was dying of cancer (as he had written a brilliant 3-part essay in the National Post about how he was dealing with his diagnosis - and dismal prognosis), and I sent him an email letting him know about the profound, positive impact he'd had on me.

Within hours, Paul sent me this reply,

"John, thanks for writing that. It really makes me feel good, to note that such paltry little pissants as words have a beneficial effect on people. So, I reckon I better keep it up for the time being!"

And he did, completing a final memoir "Cigar Box Banjo", that I read and enjoyed immensely, on last summer's canoe trip.

Here is a great video synopsis of the National Post interviews. It is ten minutes and absolutely magnificent!!

I think Paul finally got what I finally get that Titanium has also realized that Eckart Tolle has been telling us...

"The thing is, if you decide that life is beautiful, then one year isn't any less beautiful than thirty years."

Monday, November 12, 2012

And any time I needed to prove to myself that this was true, I just had to look at someone more ____ than myself.

And there was always someone more ____ than me, so it ended up being a bit of a trap.

And I found myself resenting people simply for being the way I wanted to be.

Which is quite crazy really.

So, somewhere along the way, I decided to stop doing that. Instead of comparing myself with everyone else, I would just love myself as I am and love them as they are.

And a great thing happened - suddenly I began to appreciate them for their "___ness", and the very characteristic that used to threaten me now made my world bigger and better.

And I usually found that people (at least the ones who find themselves loved and appreciated) are quite happy to share their "___ness" and that I ended up being way more ___ too, which was the exact result I had always wanted anyway.

Now, I am crazy blessed to know many of the "___est" people in the world.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE READ MY MUSINGS THIS MANY TIMES ...

SO, JUST WHO THE HELL IS THIS JOHNNY WAITE GUY ANYWAY???

Realizing this is a few years out of date - ha!! Will be back soon to update :)
Well, first and foremost, a "bon vivant". Owner/operator of Alter Ego Life Adventure Company, where I coach people on designing lives that express who they really know themselves to be, under all of the "stuff" that life has piled onto them. Defining THEIR adventure, then going for it! I have a BA in Psychology from McMaster University, am a certified Hypnotherapist, Personal Trainer and Life Coach. AND I have lived a very full life from which to draw! I have been nominated as Business Leader of the Year (twice) AND been broke! I have been the keynote speaker for the Green Party of Ontario, run for MP as a Liberal AND used to be a card carrying Conservative. I am an incredible dad but I did leave their mom (the beautiful, smart, funny Karen - read her "Musings From The Squirrel Cage" blog below). I've had jobs I loved and jobs I have hated. So, trust me when I say "I understand that life can be challenging!" Recently, I completed The Death Race (45 hours of hiking, climbing, swimming, dragging, etc) in Pittsfield, VT (www.youmaydie.com). You can contact me at johndavidwaite@gmail.com or 705-345-4665.